How To Build An Underground Greenhouse

You might say, we’ve always had a soft spot for greenhouses. We love the fact that they can extend the growing season in many parts of the country and provide a way to get some fresh produce to the table when everyone else is just wishing for warmer days.

And we’ve seen a wide variety of greenhouse designs.

Of course there’s the simple hoop variety, made out of some conduit or pvc with some plastic laid over it. They’re easy, quick, and effective.

Then there’s the more elaborate varieties that range from rustic to ornate. We truly never get tired of seeing what folks come up with.

But we’ve never found a greenhouse quite like the one we’re about profile here.

The design is around 20 years old, and is called a walipini (an Aymara Indian word for a “place of warmth”) and comes from the cold mountain regions of South America.

For around $300, you can build this “underground” greenhouse yourself and grow plants in the coldest of conditions.

Here’s a video with a tour of a home-built walipini from youtube. The image quality isn’t great but you’ll get a clear idea of just how an underground greenhouse should be set up.

For additional information on the benefits of an underground greenhouse and how to build one affordably, visit this page and your plants will be warm and toasty in no time!

You know I can’t say for sure. I don’t know why these wouldn’t work well compared to any other greenhouse really. But maybe someone will chime in here with some real world experience. Thanks for asking!